In numerical superiority for an hour following the red card received by Vici, Grenoble logically took the upper hand over Montauban (35-15). Fusier’s partners scored five tries to claim an improved success. They thus consolidate their leading position in the ranking.
That Pro D2 was missed by Rugby observers. After several weeks of truce, Grenoble and Montauban opened hostilities for this year 2025. The Isérois, rather in very good form (six successes in the last seven days), welcomed the Tarn-et-Garonnais who were struggling (five losses in the last seven matches, including four in a row). Crossed curves then, and a match without suspense? Vici, sent off around the 20th minute, helped in this scenario.
Under very humid conditions, Grenoble defeated Montauban thanks in particular to a double from Couilloud (35-15). Thanks to this improved success, the band of the Nadau – Pézéry duo takes ten points ahead of its runner-up Brive. Montauban (7th, 36 points) will move away from the qualifying places in the final phase.
Vici had too much desire
In a hurry to get back on the pitch, Josua Vici was the big player in this first period. On the right side, the Fijian winger, supporting a carried ball, launched his team ideally (0-5, 3rd). On the front side, the person concerned precipitated his team towards a new setback in the championship. Already penalized twice, the former member of Colomiers has committed the irreparable. With a cuff, he hit the face of Guillaumond (20th). A gesture which earned him a red card.
Still in front thanks to the boot of Fortunel (0-8, 9th), and despite Wilfried Hulleu’s mischievous attempt at the finish of a penalty played manually by his forwards (7-8, 17th), Sapiac paid heavily for the Kadavu native’s mistake. With one more on the field, Grenoble took its revenge at the end of a ball carried by Sarragallet (14-8, 24th). An achievement sufficient to take the lead at the break, despite a myriad of missed chances in the scoring area. Montauban, too, brought forward the harvest a little with eight points left behind by the Fortunel – Mouchous tandem.
-Couilloud saw double
Returning from the locker room, Grenoble took care of efficiency thanks to the same man: Barnabé Couilloud. Supporting his forwards, the scrum half found the gap near a ruck (21-8, 43rd). Three minutes later, he made the work of his partners bear fruit. Hulleu secured an aerial catch on a Powell candle. Sarragallet had a good read attacking the closed side with Kveseladze. The Georgian played the two against one perfectly with his partner to validate the offensive bonus (28-8, 46th).
As the hour mark approached, the staff made numerous changes. The latter broke the dynamic of the match. The FCG, in particular, experienced enormous difficulties in the touchline sector with nearly ten misplaced balls. The light still came at the end of the match. During a first-hand launch from scrum, at the 22 meter mark, Palmier broke the defensive line by passing between two defenders. After taking his action, the opener served perfectly inside Mouton to secure the bonus (35-8, 69th). At the end of the game, Mouchous made the bill a little lighter, without any impact for Grenoble (35-15, 79th).
Next week, Montauban will have the honor of Thursday evening by hosting Olympic Biarritz. The next day, at 9 p.m., Grenoble will travel to Provence Rugby. Last season, the Isérois won in the semi-final of the championship, in the den of the Blacks.
